Chapter 17
“Ow, ow, ow!” Vander sat in the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bbf7rnDCh
chair within the medical room while Topal placed topical ointments on his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rzHHLIfLV
wounds. He had removed his shirt to allow the doctor to check him over and80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkaeqa1DJz
there were already colorful bruises gathering on his skin. Eliza, who was in80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ANdxvHhf7
the adjoining room being attended to by Topal’s granddaughter seemed to be in80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg3CPgXYrA
better spirits. She was laughing the entire time with no sounds of pain.
“She did quite the number on you80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMoKcFsxAt
huh?” Topal asked. Vander could see the little smirk gathering on the old man’s80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQog1be1BIt
face as he checked him over.
“You know I heal quickly, Topal.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0qScNDyTw
Vander snorted. “Short of killing me, I’ll be better off sooner than she will.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq9TT2LPO0
So, I’d say we were about even.”
“Don’t forget a lot of the nobles80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5PyGA1pZR
saw you getting your ass beat, so you better pretend like you’re injured for a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yls14782Z
while.” Topal slapped Vander’s ribs causing him to sit up hissing between80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRshPOEm0N
clenched teeth.
“I’ll remember that.” He hissed.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNYqZFiPrJ
Vander turned towards the door. He could hear two people coming down the hall80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKAlfz5MOV
towards the room. Based on their scent and how Shea was acting nonchalantly80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopzmgCosA1
about it, it was Cuvera and Kiara.
Cuvera didn’t even knock, he just80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7Fp8gEboc
walked in with Kiara coming up behind him. “Damn, you look like shit.” He80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmQob26JGD
grinned. “But don’t you think you should put a shirt on.” he frowned. “You’re80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTcSmhlEEX
making me look bad.”
“Nonsense.” Kiara jabbed his side.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEDsXI9SKO
“He’s the one who just got whooped by Eliza. You could have taken her easily.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLvRmM1hMU
She winked at Vander when Cuvera puffed out his chest in pride.
“Damn right I could.” He said,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T6JT4lRs1
slapping her on the ass causing her to squeal then punch his arm. “Go see how80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xdehESlBU
your maid of honor is doing while I talk to Vander for a second.”
“You’re wish is my command.” She80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9Fk9LSgZb
curtsied. Vander told her than Eliza was in the other room then pointed towards80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNWqrxg9CP
the doorway. She walked through then closed the door behind her, so they80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUXeZbBXN1
couldn’t overhear what was being said.
“Doctor, would you mind giving us80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdJtRKHSgx
the room?” Cuvera asked.
“Of course.” Topal clipped his bag80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfV9LHCZ1w
shut but left the container of ointment for Vander. “Rub this on your wounds80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3VBBU1tUX
twice a day. They should clear up in a week or two.” Vander thanked the older80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufAwun8zxl
man and watched as he closed the door.
“What is it you wanted to talk to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRmy7BgVPn
me about?” Vander asked. Cuvera sighed then pulled up a seat across from80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0egAgS7E0
Vander.
“I want you to be my best man for80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiRZetdWCr
the wedding tonight.” He said. Vander stared at his friend a little confused.
“Who else were you considering?”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf1Gf1rijp
he asked.
“No one.” Cuvera sighed. “You’ve80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtwVV74pXH
been with me since the very beginning and despite what the nobles say, you are80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDAe4B1KBz
the closest friend I have. You are the only one I’ve wanted by my side80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcILYrDtZi
tonight.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLliM9nKGMq
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdCgKCCxnF
“Why did it take so long80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB3Q5QPf7t
for you to ask me?” Vander laughed, but immediately regretted it, holding his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0z0EoScF8
side in pain. “Have you asked my grandfather to make sure it’s alright I skip80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdird5rpsd
guarding duty tonight?”
“I asked him after you left.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpvEcWI3tt
Cuvera nodded. “He said it was fine provided you agree. My father will deal80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eSCQnm7aj
with the nobles, I just need you to say yes.”
“Do you have something for me to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjRuWtR5TP
wear?” Vander asked causing Cuvera to break out in a wide grin. “All my80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nMNJrVa7m
clothing are for going out on the town or performing my duties as a Blade. I80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM18o3zgZHF
don’t have anything you would consider,” he waved his hand around. “Appropriate80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqAsS74zHS
for a wedding.”
“What do you take me for?” Cuvera80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9eliFAAHS
scoffed. “Come on, this will be fun.”
Thirty minutes later Vander found80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziWk7rNxXS
himself in Cuvera’s room standing on a circular stand with three mirrors80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBRznHuc4R
surrounding him. There was an army of people coming in and out of the room with80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu07JZppASp
a seamstress taking his measurements with a thin tape. She made notes on a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFHAWFbZko
piece of paper then shouted orders to her people.
“Give me the silver fabric.” Opal80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRYE1re49j
Jayne ordered. Apparently she was of no relation to Topal, but Vander found80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMdqa6noWM
that hard to believe. No way multiple people be that bad at naming their80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYKUFqDRbw
children. “Yes, this will match your hair quite nicely.” She muttered to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdUsZbW2TT
herself. She snapped her fingers and the helpers brought in some more fabric80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxnyaLIiqb
for her to look at ranging from blues all the way to yellows. She placed the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmYf7i5R3p
silver fabric on Vander’s shoulder. She then started to place other fabrics on80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl740OgfB8k
top until she found a dark blue she liked.
“Is it done?” Cuvera asked.
“I have all the measurements I80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2T7XdKG5T
need from him as well as the colors to best match his complexion along with80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqja8yxDW1a
your outfit.” Opal mused. “I never thought I would get the chance to work on80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfarcwgCoa
you, Vander, it will take all of my power to make this work, but I daresay you80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEhRWX5lpj
will like the results.”
“Thank you.” Cuvera smiled. “Get80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U9NzUkwab
him a few rings and a necklace as well. He doesn’t like spending money on80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYdbHPd5jR
himself, so I get to do it instead.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ll80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziMqok9LhR
send you my bill. When do you need this by?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.” He said.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I58FBIlvd
Vander looked over at him with a frown.
“I thought the wedding was80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XZV92yHkr
tonight?” Cuvera and Opal looked at each other then burst out laughing.
“This wouldn’t all be done by80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKKqLFdqR9
tonight dear boy.” Opal wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I have two80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVHcf1fExZ
dresses to make and your suit. I’ll be up all night making sure everything is80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILOR1k0MpJ
ready.”
“I made sure it was okay if I80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinzFv14HCm
postponed it until tomorrow.” Cuvera explained. “If anything, my father was80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DShUN5eWJ
relieved for more time, so he approved it.”
“What am I supposed to do with80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjQ8WO6tmB
myself now?” Vander groaned.
“Don’t know.” Cuvera shrugged. “Go80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqb0jo96R0
for a walk, get drunk, get your dick wet, whatever you want. I’ll see you80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOqvZ79ifU
later.” He winked then quickly slipped out of the room.
“Jackass.” Vander muttered. He80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnxMO7IvH2
slipped on his clothing, clipped his sword to his belt, then left the room.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy52SzNFa5
Shea had been forced to sit outside so she wasn’t in the way, so she joined80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJyGSMwcbM
him.
“That seemed like fun.” She80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVb70v4YAR
said.
“Well, now we have the night off.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdzrP6Q0Q3
He replied. “What should we do now?”
“I would like to head back if80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WXUByAmRg
you don’t mind.” She said. “I’m tired.”
“You are more than welcome to head80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwW4PV6zFE
back to the bedroom if you want.” He said. “I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t forget you have to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2yr9xrG7f
oversee the protection detail around the castle for tomorrow’s wedding.” She80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42zw4aRQMX
said. “Perhaps you should focus on that while you have time.”
“Ah shit, I forgot about that.” He80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFKkfZWluq
groaned. “So much has happened within the past several days that it slipped my80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiORp24ClA
mind.”
“Then it’s lucky that my mind is80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7Uokdqwyf
still about me.” Vander turned around to see his grandfather standing behind80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLxw7uVOCG
them. “How many times have I told you not to talk to Shea where others can hear80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWg8L8vAUd
you?”
“Sorry, Grandfather.” Vander80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL8tQ8lasC
muttered. Shea licked his hand before walked down the hall and disappearing80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby0Q6H7Kmi
into the darkness. “She’s heading back to my room to sleep. She hasn’t been80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFmjRMZdaB
sleeping well lately.”
“With all the wardens here, I’m80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw2WR4gCEN
surprised anyone is sleeping.” Charles sighed. “Anyway, do you have a moment to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8jIrXgYXA
chat? There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Of course.” Charles led the way80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBa0PLNdqA
down the hall and up a flight of stairs towards his office. There were two80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRGrsiwTdn
Blades standing at the door whom he dismissed with a flick of his hand. Once80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ6tXz2c0Y
inside, he poured both a small glass of whiskey.
“Eliza passed.” Charles answered80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJl97UiQm1
the unspoken question after he drained his glass and poured himself another80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7eT69UC2U
one. “After the wedding we will initiate her as a Blade Captain with control of80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QfFtODt9J
her own squad.”
“Are you sure about that?” Vander80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvm5IHMrKI
asked. “There are abound to be plenty who are going to be pissed they got80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvTE5aS633
passed for a promotion to someone from Bricen, even if she is qualified.”
“They are able to challenge her80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS76ariw1J
for the spot, but based on how she was able to take you down, I doubt the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhgr1dk4ds
others will be able to keep up with her.” He explained.
“Come on gramps,” Vander rolled80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUomZTzlRt
his eyes. “I was holding back, and you know it.”
“An ass whooping is an ass80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllihOkYfHv
whooping Vander.” He laughed. “Plus, I expect she was holding back as well, and80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zuhghO2ja
she had just finished running the gauntlet beforehand. I think you would have80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNReBpJvZTk
lost if she wasn’t exhausted.”
“You’re supposed to be on my80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTmrB1u2C8
side.” He grumbled.
“I’m for whatever makes us80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqo6QXohJn
stronger.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “Malcolm told me about what Ross80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavUv1MHNl3
had told you when you visited him. While I’m not happy you went there,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLsLqlIX8Y
especially without telling me, we now have an enemy to focus our efforts on. Was80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvIRajg87U
there anything else he could tell you?”
“There was, but I’d have to fight80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz6nlj1pPn
in the pits against his champions.” Vander explained. “It’s not something I’m80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e7l57N6nQ
keen on doing, but I will if I need to.”
“That might not be necessary.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsieps7RkV
Charles was quiet for a moment. “What do you know of Draken? The man Warden80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEORnnXZeiy
Valarian always keeps with her?”
“Not much.” Vander admitted. “Just80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVL5vx9Cg9
that he’s a strong fighter.”
“Not just that.” Charles got up80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P8YSx5rCw
from his desk to walk towards one of the bookshelves. He skimmed the shelves80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRmanwiefE
for a moment before selecting an old black book with gold trim. He flipped80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbSlxqMG0b
through the pages until he found the one he wanted then placed it on the table80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hj2CV8J89
in front of Vander. It was a picture of Aubum, the deity of mortality and80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6Je597zh6
death. One of the children of the Darkness.
Aubum was a mysterious deity. Not80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDMEAWHkcU
much was known about him even within the texts of the other deities. Before his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruKQHa1V58
arrival, humans were immortal, but Darkness had created him to rob them of the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijpaxDZPEP
one thing they coveted more than anything, their lives. It was a move to try80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjs2doWTvv
and weaken her parents and siblings, but it backfired because humans prayed to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu4HsVwuGy
the deities even more afterwards. Some believe he did it to weaken his mother,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNbprQYUQ7
but that was the minority opinion.
Aubum was human in appearance, but80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPk2yG8dWh
his hair was bright green while his skin was the color of death. He wore white80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutKybNuf6U
robes with sandaled feet. His weapon of choice was a large scythe, but he used80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB892qGyN9
it more to walk with than as a weapon considering how old he truly was.
“Are you telling me that Draken is80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51lT6BUuFW
the Ma’akti of Aubum?” Vander asked. “I thought he stayed out of human affairs80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr4EVpEI75
until their death?”
“It’s something passed down since80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeo8HUgrrR
the Valarian line started.” Charles explained. “Out of everyone in the council,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBWfcDVaEb
only the King and I know who he truly is.” There was a slight gust of wind that80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8bV8wnbig
wafted around the apartment as the smell of decay appeared in Vander’s nose. In80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDyg8m1TZg
one deft movement, Vander jumped from his seat and drew his sword pointing it80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PZ6ZZx3qQ
at one of the darkened corners.
“Good.” A voice hissed from the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdnv7uc5ve
shadows. Two bright yellow eyes appeared as a man stepped out from the shadows,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu3VmQsxv2
but they clung to him as if trying not to let him go. Now that Vander’s eyes80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51BBQFGoeZ
could adjust, he realized the man had dark green, scaley skin, and large80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgUdsfXM2M
canines that jutted past his top lip. He was wearing a long-mottled cape which80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnu4Q65HqG
allowed him to blend with the shadows along with leather armor protecting his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALaeqhpOPQ
chest. He wore a series of knives on his belt, likely his preferred weapon of80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa5UPcjKvv
choice.
“Draken, you came.” Charles bowed80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3logu7KmMP
his head respectfully. “Would you like a drink?”
“No thanksssss, Commander.” He80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaelp8uibA
hissed. “But why have you asked my missssstressss for me? I wasssss hoping to80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9X9unRWFu
enjoy my ssssstay?”
“Can you stop hissing?” Charles80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DUjW5lNpu
asked. “I know you do it just to make people piss their pants, but you don’t80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBUSbjmrC8
have to do it here.”
“Sorry.” Draken laughed. It80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63KpfSM5dl
sounded raspy like he had been smoking for decades, it was likely his throat80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUGT7zsUs0
wasn’t used to normal speak. “It’s a habit at this point.”
“How did you get in here?” Vander80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nMGLmcPbJ
asked.
“Do you expose your secrets to any80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a1BwdUMkq
who asked Unna’tun Ma’akti?” Vander stared at him surprised. “Only those with80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbusJgWde3C
her abilities can sense me when I’m cloaked considering we are cousins of a80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSDm3s9Vd1
sort.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Vander80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIbE6bp69W
shrugged his shoulder. “This is something I would kill to keep secret if you80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOpBQ2xkwR
catch my meaning.”
“Don’t worry.” Draken smiled. “I80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDQzUBXa5z
won’t tell anyone anything. This is a secret that should stay in the shadows80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS71iEOKQY
with as few as possible. None of us wish for our secrets to be exposed,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfug6Zgwh0D
especially not those in power.”
“Only a select few will know of80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSCUFH4j82
this.” Charles explained. “We have sworn on the book of Humjir to keep the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh5xsImwYb
identities a secret. If anyone breaks that vow, they will die.”
“I trust you.” Vander sighed. “But80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe2rGxbTVA
onto the question, why is he here?”
“Because I have a job for him.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcdYgREZhm
Charles explained. “We have someone in our dungeons who knows the location of80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGGQnMvuln
whoever tried to kill our King. I want you to pry the information out of my any80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFGuwgR9lh
means necessary then track down whoever sent him here. When you find them, I80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdRciDQHsI
want to know about it.”
“And who will protect my Warden80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJCey99Bpv
while I do this?” Draken asked.
“We will have our best protecting80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU29mfYnlO
her.” Charles assured him. “Captain Alexander will take three others to help80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4YwcYlQmk
protect her.”
“Do you trust him?”
“With my life.” Vander answered.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5MC6IIEyb
“We’ve been through a lot together. We will protect her with his life if need80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwpKsZLDiC
be.”
“Then very well.” Draken bowed his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkDQcZkb1c
head. “Should I make daily reports?”
“No, only report when you finish.”
“Understood.” With that Draken80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJbM9K2XtK
slunk back into the shadows then disappeared. Vander didn’t speak until he was80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG6XBudCfh
sure that the man was gone.
“That was something.” He said.
“He’s always been like that, but80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46oqmBZHG0
he gives results and that’s what matters.”
“Will the guards walk in on80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFuTPFGwFL
anything?” Vander asked.
“I gave the guards the night off.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPxxpfOvEa
Charles sat back down in his chair. “No one will hear the man’s screams. I want80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82hO75eoIA
to get this done as quickly as possible.”
“Cuvera and I questioned him80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlVEfwWrvc
before, and he swore that they had nothing to do with the King’s poisoning.”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZSRTGraIz
Vander explained.
“You know better than to trust80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fHLgGVyle
someone like that Vander, unless you doubt Ross’ word?”
“Ross always has some hidden80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOquBajyQRT
agenda, but he wouldn’t lie to me.” Vander frowned. “It could be his80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOXBx0n3dI
information is wrong.”
“We will see what happens once80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sDDYVP3Fg
Draken finishes his investigation.” Charles tossed back his whiskey. “His80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlugbqgYuU2
methods are cruel, but we need that now. Any moment we waste is another chance80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5Vq2Ny5nR
they must kill Malcolm.”
“I agree with you.” Vander also80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU9m6p4C7n
drank the burning liquid which caused him to grimace. He hated the taste, but80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCXYFEhq0P
it did relax him. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore gramps.”
“What should we talk about then?”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8goAypMTPo
Charles grinned. “Would you like to talk about your attraction to Eliza?”80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5E8AOIHxJ
Vander choked on his drink.
“What?” He sputtered. “I don’t80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhin4QpaRDw
like her!”
“So that mild bit of flirting80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbsrOZca4l
while you fought this morning was nothing?” Charles asked. “I might be old, but80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0deN0k2y5w
I’m not dead yet and neither are you. You’d be a fool not to be interested in80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeyppsNEY8
her.”
“Come on, I barely know her.” He80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVePheKrkq
protested. “Besides, she can find someone better.”
“I know Bree dumping you hurt, but80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGMFnD2Rlz
you can’t close yourself off forever.” His grandfather sighed. “It’s time you80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyz0EGV5L0
found someone to settle down with. I’d like to have great-grand children before80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHHzbm64MJ
I die.”
“I’m only twenty, gramps.” Vander80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaweoD1y0S
sighed. “We have plenty of time.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Charles80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XiV0Ub6kC
mused. However, he got a sad look in his eyes that Vander couldn’t quite figure80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszGlBxXQAO
out.”
“Is everything alright?” he asked.
“Yes, yes.” Charles waved him off.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM3LshmBUa
“I just think she will be a good match for you as well, Vander. Give it some80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Q5LV7Orv
thought, but ultimately, it’s up to you.”
“Thank you.” Vander sipped the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sC6PEAbOK
drink. “It is alright if I sleep? I’ve had a long day.”
“Of course.” Charles smiled. “I80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoAVWpYjNR
will see you tomorrow.” Vander walked over to the other side of the desk and80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEQGq0R5EJ
kissed his grandfather on the top of his head. With a small wave he left the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI3rhVDW02
room.
He decided to take the long way80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFK4U9nAXc
back to his room opting to take a walk along the outer corridor towards the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHupCFH2uSS
other gardens. The gardens behind the castle were filled with various bushes80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjEOdZRcJC
and flower gardens ranging from roses to daffodils. There were pathways that80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KA5lt95FG
weaved around each garden bed and benches were people sat while they enjoyed80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugBDZMehiZ
themselves. Here nobles were allowed to visit, but with the wedding tomorrow,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP1obf5bsq
many were resting.
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The full moon was high in the sky80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs1rstdbMJ
when Vander sat down on a secluded bench in a corner garden. Despite the chaos80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5Zl6Wzj1n
that was his life and Unna’s gifts constantly clawing at him, he enjoyed the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyk6kaGHTe
quiet serenity that this spot offered him. It was one of the few places he80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZTx7uZbWp
could feel at ease and not have to worry about anyone else. He lay down on the80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjmZkN9Lew
bench to stare up at the moon before closing his eyes to rest.
